Barcode: 0 89195 87236 4
Packaging: 48 Pieces per carton
Box Size: 6.4" x 10.2" x 1.9"

Features:

• Intricate Flakpanzer V newly designed
• New twin 3.7cm FlaK 43 cannons can be adjusted to different positions
• One-piece plastic gun barrels are well detailed
• Slide-molded upper hull w/full detail
• Armored sife skirts reproduced
• Detailed desidned for rear plate and stowage boxes
• Engine deck w/delicate details
• Intricate road wheels
• One-piece DS tracks
  

Germany's Luftwaffe was numerically outnumbered as WWII progressed, with the Fatherland and tactical units constantly being bombed and strafed by enemy aircraft. This called for more effective antiaircraft systems than Germany hitherto possessed, which initially were often poorly protected halftracks. New self-propelled AA types were put into service, including the Flakpanzer IV. A new type was also planned – the Flakpanzer V "Coelian" from Rheinmetall - though it was never put into production due to the war's end and the lack of enough chassis for conversion. The Coelian featured a special armored turret that would protect the crew inside the vehicle. It used a standard Panther tank chassis upon which were mounted twin 3.7cm FlaK 43 cannons.

Dragon is now offering a fine 1/72 scale model kits of this interesting-looking German AA vehicle. It features the dual antiaircraft guns mounted based on a Panther chassis. The fully enclosed turret is a brand new molding, carefully replicating the prototypical structure and the twin-barrel cannons mounted inside. The turret and gun system is made true to scale. While this system never had the requisite time to get off the drawing board, Dragon's engineers are proud to bring this exciting model kits to modelers!

Reviews:

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Pro Series Kit No. 7236;
Flakpanzer V “Coelian”; 124 parts (122 in grey styrene, 2 DS Plastic track runs); pre-order price US$19.95 via Dragon USA Online

Advantages: nice new turret on a Ausf. G hull

Disadvantages: older hull with screw holes and mountings; no etched brass parts will disappoint some modelers

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all German Panther fans

Years ago DML released a 1/35 scale kit of the “Coelian” prototype twin 3.7 cm AA tank based on a Panther Ausf. G chassis. While the actual vehicle never went into production for a number of reasons (mostly delays and a bigger need for gun tanks) it has always been popular with Panther fans as a fairly attractive vehicle. DML has now returned with a 1/72 scale version of this vehicle based on their Ausf. G kits with a totally new turret.

The hull consists of three parts - upper, lower and stern plate. The road wheel arms are premolded into the lower hull but in the case of this kit uses totally separate wheels for each axle. The idler wheel consists of two parts and even the small intermediate roller is included.

The tracks now come as with all recent DML 1/72 scale kits with an indicator that the tracks are to be 182mm in overall length. These measured out at 183mm but once formed to the right “sag” should appear right on the money.

All side details are separate but the pioneer tools and OVM come “bundled” into assemblies for simpler installation.

All hatches are molded in place on both the hull and turret with the exception of the engine deck, which comes with the false engine to cover the screw assembly mount in the older mold hull bottom. (The other one goes under the machine gun blister on the glacis, but no screws are provided for assembly.) Anyone wanting to use figures in the hatches has some work on his hands to make changes.

As there are no etched brass parts modelers wanting them will have to either borrow from an earlier DML kit or seek aftermarket parts.

The turret makes good use of slide molding to capture details with the drum trapped for elevation. The barrels have hollow flash hiders which is a nice touch in this scale.

Technical assistance is not listed but is assumed to be from Tom Cockle and Gary Edmundson.

Two finishing options are provided: “Unidentified Unit” Germany 1945 (tricolor with black crosses); Unidentified Unit, 1945 (sand with a primer red turret, black crosses). A tiny sheet of six crosses from Cartograf is provided.

Overall Panther fans will be happy to see this vehicle in this scale to join the previous Panther releases.

- Cookie Sewell -